Maersk, the largest container line by market value, will report a 44 percent gain in net income to 21.9 billion kroner ($3.8 billion) for this year, according to the mean of 18 analyst estimates. The Copenhagen-based company also owns oil tankers and drilling rigs, with container shipping generating 45 percent of revenue, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Its shares rose 6.5 percent to 40,400 kroner this year and are predicted to reach 48,060 kroner in 12 months.
The shipping line controls 9.6 percent of capacity sailing to North America from Asia, according to data from Alphaliner, an industry consultant. The next-largest operators are Geneva- based Mediterranean Shipping Co. and CMA GGM SA, located in Marseille, France. The ships are as long as 1,300 feet and can hold as many as 15,550 boxes.